Hedy Lamarr

Brain power

Celebrated as “the most beautiful woman in the world” during her Hollywood heyday in the 1940s, film star Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000) ultimately proved that her brain was even more extraordinary than her beauty. Eager to aid Allied forces during World War II, she explored potential military applications for radio technology. She theorized that varying radio frequencies at irregular intervals would prevent interception or jamming of transmissions, thereby creating an innovative communication system. Lamarr shared her concept for utilizing “frequency hopping” with the U.S. Navy and codeveloped a patent in 1941. Today, Lamarr’s innovation makes possible a wide range of wireless communications technologies, including Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, and Tony Martin in a Paint Book from Ziegfeld Girl

Object Details

Date made
1941
depicted
Stewart, James
publisher
Merrill Publishing Company
associated institution
MGM
depicted
Garland, Judy
Lamarr, Hedy
Turner, Lana
Martin, Tony
maker
Merrill Publishing Company
Description
James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Tony Martin in a Paint Book from Ziegfeld Girl. The Merrill Publishing Company published this 48-page paint book. It includes pictures and texts which describe activities on movie set and behind-the-scenes, describing the costumes.
Location
Currently not on view
Subject
Motion Pictures
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Movie Collection
Credit Line
Gift of Donald E. Grepke in memory of Carolyn Grepke
Data Source
National Museum of American History
ID Number
2001.3007.41
nonaccession number
2001.3007
catalog number
2001.3007.41
Object Name
Paint Book
Measurements
overall: 15 in x 10 1/4 in; 38.1 cm x 26.035 cm
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-b58e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Record ID
nmah_1292100